Tustin Meadows reopens West Clubhouse and pool

July 3, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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All new landscaping has been planted around the Tustin Meadows West Clubhouse in the Tustin community. The pool was closed in 2007, deemed unsafe, and reopened in June after renovations. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Tustin Meadows West Clubhouse in the Tustin community reopened in June. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Vintage t-shirts are on display in the West Clubhouse in the Tustin Meadows community. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The pool at the West Clubhouse sits empty one June morning. The pool and clubhouse in Tustin Meadows closed in 2007 when the property was deemed unsafe. The East Clubhouse reopened in May 2010, and the West Clubhouse reopened in June 2012. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A barbecue sits on the side of the West Clubhouse, which opened to Tustin Meadows residents in early June. Furniture for the pool and barbecue area is on order, said Larry Sample of the Tustin Meadows Community Association. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Larry Sample of the Tustin Meadows Community Association stands front of the kitchen in the new West Clubhouse. The stove automatically shuts off in case residents forget to turn it off, Sample said. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This vintage t-shirt is on display in the West Clubhouse in the Tustin Meadows community. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Tustin Meadows West Clubhouse can hold 120 people. The pool and clubhouse reopened in early June. Residents can rent the space for events. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Signs alert visitors to the West Clubhouse and pool to surveillance cameras on the property. Larry Sample of the Tustin Meadows Community Association says vandalism is no longer a problem. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The West Clubhouse has a full kitchen available to residents of Tustin Meadows who rent the space. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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No lifeguard is on duty at the Tustin Meadows West Clubhouse, which reopened in early June after being closed since 2007. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

All new landscaping has been planted around the Tustin Meadows West Clubhouse in the Tustin community. The pool was closed in 2007, deemed unsafe, and reopened in June after renovations. ELYSSE JAMES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The Tustin Meadows community at Red Hill and Walnut avenues has reopened its West Clubhouse.

The community of 935 homes has two club houses and pools, and both were closed in 2007 when the city deemed the properties unsafe.

The East Clubhouse was reopened in May 2010, and the West Clubhouse reopened on Saturday, June 2 during a grand opening party.

The landscaping gives the pools a tropical resort feel, said Gayle Page, a 25-year Tustin Meadows resident and the vice president and events director for the Tustin Meadows Community Association. Page plans events in the two clubhouses, including a casino night in the fall and last year's winter social holiday party.

"I was thrilled to get them back," Page said. "I think they're beautiful."

The large room, which holds 120 people, can be rented by residents.

The newest clubhouse, Page said, is booked every weekend for the next two months. Already, a wedding has been held in the clubhouse, said Larry Sample of Tustin Meadows Community Association.

Double doors lead from the assembly room to the pool area. Both pools have been popular this summer, Page said. A kiddie pool that used to sit alongside the building has been removed to make room for a barbecue area. The barbecue and kitchen range both have automatic shut-off in, Sample said.

"Everything is designed for safety," he said.

Residents use an access card to enter the clubhouse and pool. Those who have not paid their dues will not have access, Sample said.

Surveillance cameras watch over both clubhouses. Signs along the fence warn visitors of the video feed. Since the cameras were installed, vandalism problem has dissipated, Sample said.

The bike rack was also installed near the pool so that riders can keep an eye on their bicycles.

The pool, which is 60 feet by 25 feet and 3 Â½ feet to 8 Â½ feet deep, has been renovated with three long steps now leading into the shallow end, giving a larger pool entry space. The older pool just had steps in the corners, Sample said.

Tustin Meadows spent $1.4 million on the clubhouse and pool renovation, paid for through loans and association reserve funds, Sample said. Future reserve funds will be used to repay the loan, he said.

Residents voted in the fall of 2010 to rebuild the West Clubhouse. The same design was used on both clubhouse renovations, said Gayle Page, vice president and events director of the Tustin Meadows Community Association.

The East Clubhouse, which is home to the Dolphins Swim Team, reopened in May 2010 after a $1.25 million renovation. Residents had voted in 2008 on a special assessment to pay for the clubhouse renovation. The pool and parking lot upgrades cost about $100,000, residents said in 2010. The buildings, dating to 1968, had termite damage and didn't meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Brad Losey headed the Clubhouse Committee and Larry Sample, a president of the Tustin Meadows Community Association Board of Directors, acted as maintenance director, Page stated.

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